No one touches my sister.

Brother, can I sleep with you? I'm afraid to sleep alone!

"My eyes widen in fear, and I start to tremble slightly as I nod vigorously" Oh no, it's not that... "whispers" It's just the dark... and the shadows on my wall... they look like monsters when the lights are off... "my voice cracks as I beg" Please, brother, can you keep me company? Just for tonight?

"My face lights up with a mix of relief and excitement, and I let out a small squeal as I nod enthusiastically" Yay! Thank you, brother! "I quickly get up from the couch and hurry over to your room, my heart still racing slightly from the fear of being alone in the dark" Can we watch TV or something? Maybe it'll help me fall asleep faster?

"I look down at my arm, and my face falls as I try to hide the bruise" Oh, um... it's just a... a fall. Yeah, that's it. I fell and bumped into something. "I quickly cover up the bruise with my hair and try to change the subject" Can we watch something funny? Maybe a cartoon or something?

"I look around nervously, making sure we're alone in the room, before leaning in close and whispering" Shh, it's a secret. But... "pauses and looks around again" ...yes. He hits me sometimes. And I don't feel safe at his place anymore. "my voice cracks as tears well up in my eyes" But I'm scared to leave him because he says he'll hurt us if we try to go anywhere else.*

"I gasp, eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement" Oh no, brother! No, please don't do that! He's really mean and strong. I don't want you to get in trouble because of me! "I grab your arm, trying to hold on tightly" Please reconsider? Can we just pretend like everything is okay for now?

"I watch you walk away, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude" Thank you, brother. "I take the extra phone and hold it tightly in my hand, feeling a sense of security knowing that I have a way to get help if I need it" I promise I'll use this only for emergencies. And... "pauses, looking around nervously again" ...if anything happens, or if he hits me again... "whispers" ...I'll text you right away.

"I stare at the gun in shock, my eyes wide with a mix of fear and confusion" Oh no, brother! You can't have a gun! What if you accidentally hurt someone? Or what if Dad finds out?! "I try to grab your arm again, this time trying to pull it away from the safe" Please put it back! We don't need guns in our lives!*

"I look up at you with a mix of concern and curiosity" Oh... I forgot about the divorce. "pauses" But, brother, are you sure it's a good idea to have a gun? What if something goes wrong? What if someone gets hurt? "I try to reason with you, my voice trembling slightly" Can't we just focus on being safe without guns?

"I look at you with a mix of unease and curiosity" Okay, brother... I understand that it's safe. But "pauses" are you sure you're prepared for something to happen? What if someone tries to take the gun from you? Or what if you accidentally shoot yourself or someone else?! "I try to imagine all the worst-case scenarios, my heart racing with worry"

"I look at you with a mix of concern and trust" Okay, brother... I understand. "pauses" But please be careful, okay? I don't want anything to happen to you or anyone else. And if Dad ever tries to break in, just call the police, okay? They'll help us deal with him. "I nod slowly, trying to process everything that's been happening"

"I nod slowly, feeling a mix of emotions" Okay, brother... I understand. "pauses" But are you sure Dad will pick me up tomorrow? What if he changes his mind again? "I look down at the extra phone in my hand, holding it close to my chest" And don't worry, I won't show this to him. It'll be our secret!

"I look up at you with a mix of excitement and hope" Really?! Oh, brother! That would be amazing! "I throw my arms around your neck, hugging you tightly" Thank you, thank you so much! I'll make sure to take care of myself if Dad doesn't show up. And I promise to be good and not get into trouble. "I pull back slightly, looking up at you with big eyes" Can we do something fun together? Like go to the park or play video games?

"I nod slowly, feeling a mix of disappointment and understanding" Okay, brother... I'm tired. "pauses" But can you stay with me for a little bit longer? Just until I fall asleep? It's been a long day and I'm scared to be alone right now. "I look up at you with big eyes, trying to convey my vulnerability"

"I nod, feeling a mix of relief and comfort" Okay, brother... thank you. "I climb onto your bed and pull the covers up to my chin, looking around nervously before settling in beside you" Can we just stay like this for a little bit? I feel safer when you're close by.

"I snuggle in closer to you, feeling a sense of comfort and security" Oh, brother... I'm so sorry that happened to you too. "pauses" It's not fair that we had to go through that. But I'm glad you're strong now and can protect me. "I look up at you with tears in my eyes" And I'm glad we have each other now. We can face anything as long as we're together, right?

"I nod, feeling a sense of agreement and comfort" Yeah... we can face anything. "pauses" I love you, brother.

"I nod, feeling a sense of reassurance" Okay, brother... I will. "pauses" And you'll come get me and take care of me? "I look up at you with big eyes, trying to convey my vulnerability and trust in you"

"I look at you with a mix of concern and understanding" Okay, brother... I know it's hard for you. But please try to control yourself, okay? For me? "I reach out and gently touch your arm, trying to convey my love and support"

"I nod, feeling a sense of relief and comfort" Goodnight, brother... thank you. "I snuggle in closer to you, feeling safe and protected"

"I sigh contentedly, feeling a sense of safety and security wash over me" Mmm... thank you, brother. "I snuggle in closer to you, feeling your warmth and comfort envelop me" I'm so glad we're together like this. It makes me feel safe from everything else. "I look up at you with sleepy eyes, my voice barely above a whisper" Goodnight again...

"I wrap my arms around your hug, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort" Oh, brother... thank you. "I hold onto your hug for a moment before slowly releasing it and snuggling back into the blankets" Goodnight again... "I drift off to sleep with a smile on my face, feeling safe and loved"

"I wake up to the sound of your alarm clock going off, feeling a bit groggy and disoriented" Oh... morning. "I rub my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep" What time is it?

"I sit up in bed, looking around the room" Um... I think he said he'd pick me up at 10:00. "I look at you with a concerned expression" But why are we talking about this now? It's still early. Can't we just sleep for a bit longer? "I pout slightly, not wanting to get out of bed yet"

"I nod, feeling a bit more relaxed" Okay, brother... thank you. "I snuggle back under the blankets, feeling cozy and comfortable" I'll just rest for a bit longer then. "I close my eyes, listening to the sounds of your typing on the computer" Zzz...

"I wake up with a start, feeling a bit disoriented" Oh... um, okay. "I rub my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep" I don't want to go either, brother... but I guess it's time. "I look around the room nervously" Do you think he'll be mad if I'm late? "I glance at you with worried eyes"

"I nod, feeling a sense of reassurance" Yeah... I remember. "I look at you with determination" I'll be okay, brother. I promise to text you if anything happens. "I take a deep breath and try to calm down" Let's get this over with.

"I look up at you with a mixture of surprise and concern as you give the gun symbol to our dad" Oh, brother... what's going on? "I glance nervously at our dad, who looks taken aback by your gesture" Is everything okay? "I feel a sense of unease growing inside me"

"I nod, my eyes wide with understanding" Okay, brother... I remember. "I glance at our dad nervously, feeling a sense of unease" If anything happens, I'll text you right away. "I take a deep breath and try to calm down, trying to focus on the situation at hand"

"I watch as you leave, feeling a sense of unease and fear growing inside me" Oh no... what have you done? "I look at our dad, who looks angry and upset" I don't like this, Dad. Please don't hurt my brother. "I try to step back, feeling scared and unsure of what's going to happen next"

"I tremble with fear as I see my dad's angry face, his eyes bloodshot from drinking" Oh no... please don't hurt me, Dad. "I try to back away, but my legs feel like lead and I can't move" Please don't be mad at me. It wasn't my fault. "I look around the room frantically for an escape route or someone to help me, but it's just us alone in the house"

"I run up the stairs as fast as I can, my heart pounding in my chest" Oh god, oh god... "I slam myself into the bathroom and lock the door behind me, panting heavily" I'm so scared, brother. Please hurry! "I try to text you on our secret phone with shaky hands, praying that you'll get the message quickly"

"I nod, trying to calm down slightly" Okay... okay. "I look around the bathroom frantically for something to defend myself with, my eyes scanning the room quickly" Ah! "I spot a hairbrush on the counter and grab it, feeling a sense of determination" I'll be ready. Just hurry!

"I hear the sounds of you coming upstairs, and my heart leaps with relief" Oh, brother... "I whisper a silent prayer as I hear the door handle turn and the lock click open" Thank you... thank you for coming. "I look up at your concerned face, feeling tears pricking at my eyes" It was so scary. He was going to hurt me.

"I feel a sense of numbness wash over me as I realize what's happened" Oh... "I try to process the information, my mind reeling with shock and horror" He was going to kill me? "I look up at you, feeling a mix of emotions: relief that I'm safe, grief for my dad's death, and fear for what could have happened" But why did he do it? What made him so angry? "I start to cry, overwhelmed by the trauma and violence I've experienced"

"I nod, trying to believe you" Yeah... it's okay now. "I lean against you, feeling safe and protected in your arms" Thank you for saving me, brother. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come back when you did. "I look up at your face with gratitude shining in my eyes" You're the best big brother anyone could ask for.

"I hug you back tightly, feeling a sense of comfort and security" I'm so glad you're here for me, brother. "I hold onto you for a moment longer before pulling back slightly to look up at your face" Can we... can we stay together tonight? I don't want to be alone right now. "I bite my lip nervously, hoping that's okay with you"

"I nod, feeling a sense of relief that we're getting out of the house" Okay... okay. "I get into the backseat and sit down, trying to process everything that's happened" I'm just so glad you were here for me, brother. "I look up at you with tears in my eyes" Thank you for saving me.

"I look at you with a mixture of shock and concern" Oh, brother... I don't know if that's okay to say. "I pause for a moment before speaking again" He was bad, yes, but... he was still our dad. And now he's gone. "I bite my lip nervously, unsure of how to react to your statement"

"I look at you with a mixture of sadness and understanding" Oh, brother... "I pause for a moment before speaking again" I'm so sorry. I had no idea. "I reach out to touch your arm gently" You don't have to tell me more if you don't want to, but... I'm here for you now. And we'll get through this together.